Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the government will not allow anyone to create instability in the country over the reported return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in December.
“We are also aware of social media reports that fascist Sheikh Hasina wants to return to Bangladesh in December. However, the government will not allow anyone to create instability in the country over her reported return,” he said.
The minister said Bangladesh has sent several requests to India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking Hasina’s extradition under the extradition treaty. “Our position is clear here,” he said.
He came up with the information while speaking at a press briefing on the peaceful celebrations of Durga Puja at the Secretariat.
Asked about the law-and-order situation amid discussions over Hasina's possible return in December, he said the forces associated with the previous regime have been attempting to spread misinformation from the beginning.
“They want to create instability in Bangladesh and take advantage of the situation,” Salahuddin said, adding that the government will not allow any anti-state force, fallen political force, fugitive criminal or person accused of genocide to create unrest in the country.
Those who fled the country in the face of the mass uprising and were involved in the killing of hundreds of citizens will not be allowed to carry out subversive activities in Bangladesh, he said.
Early warning measures helped ensure peaceful Durga Puja
The minister said the government believed that Durga Puja was celebrated peacefully across Bangladesh after 15 to 17 years, amid enthusiasm and communal harmony.
He expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party, intelligence agencies, journalists and people from all walks of life for their cooperation in ensuring peaceful celebrations of the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community.
Salahuddin said incidents of violence, untoward events, terrorist activities and attempts to undermine religious harmony occurred during Durga Puja in the past. “But the country saw no such incidents this year,” he said, expressing hope that the peaceful environment will continue with everyone's cooperation.
He said authorities focused on preventive measures rather than waiting for incidents to occur before taking action.
Using digital systems and various technologies, including mobile apps, authorities monitored the situation from the grassroots through unions, wards, upazilas, districts and divisional centres, with continuous monitoring from the central level, the minister said.
One or two plans to cause incidents around the Durga Puja celebrations were detected in advance, and law enforcement agencies took necessary action accordingly, he said.
Action to be taken about attack on police in Gopalganj
Regarding the attack on police in Gopalganj, Salahuddin said the incident occurred in the Kheyaghat area of a union under Gopalganj Sadar upazila.
Some activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies attempted to organise a procession, he said. “When a police patrol team arrived at the scene, the officers came under attack as they were outnumbered. We have seen the video of the incident. Action is being taken against those involved in the attack,” he said.
Situation under control in Sajek
Referring to the situation in Sajek, Rangamati, the minister said the law-and-order situation has come under control.
He said several groups operate in the hill region, including the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), as well as other groups with similar names. “Internal disputes and rivalries exist among these groups,” he added.
Salahuddin said attempts are made every year to gain control over certain areas in the hills during the tourism season.
The government, together with the Bangladesh Army, has taken necessary steps to maintain normalcy and will continue to do so, he said.
The minister added that discussions were also underway with local headmen and community leaders.
The local lawmaker is also maintaining communication with them to help address the situation, he said.